Buying Original Artwork From the Comfort of Your Own Home

You don't have to be an art expert or a millionaire to have original artwork in your home or office. What's more, you don't need to trail around countless art galleries either!

There are now over 20,000 web sites selling artwork around the world and whether the artist is established or newly emerging, there is a wealth of fabulous artwork just waiting to be bought.

When you go online you can just sit back, put your feet up and relax. Browse the internet galleries and simply choose something that you like. As Henry David Thoreau once said,
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see"

    * Start small and slowly build up your own private collection. Original art collections are filled with pleasure and enjoyment for their owners, regardless of the value or size. "The object of art is not to reproduce reality but to create a reality of the same intensity" (Alberto Giacometti).

Remember everyone buys art for a different reason.

    * It could be for investment. In recent years, art investment has provided a better return than some stock market investments, however, as with any investment; you must be prepared to do your homework! High quality pieces with good provenance can make for good long-term investments.

    * It could be for a gift for someone special or simply for you.

    * It may be part of your new, interior design makeover! Many artists are willing to 'paint to order' with a superb range of commission work available to suit your décor and colour scheme.

So really you need to ask yourself what you want from art.

    * How much space do you have available?

    * Is this a one-off purchase for fun or are you thinking further ahead?

These days, original artwork is accessible, affordable and sometimes downright cheap!

In fact, it's very sad that so many brilliant artists have to turn to other careers to make a living.

Well now that you have established why you want to buy the artwork, you need to establish how!

As I have mentioned, there are lots of sites out there but finding a reliable site to buy your artwork safely can be a bit of a minefield. A reliable site will always be able to verify the originality of the artwork.

By original, I mean: there is only one, signed copy or an authenticity certificate/statement where signing the work is not possible. For example, some sculpture cannot easily be signed.

It is worth noting that most websites offer only paintings whilst some offer all styles of 'artwork'. Not just paintings in various media but also sculpture, photography and fine ink drawings! Remember that 'art' is not just about paintings.

In the case of limited edition prints or photography the works should be signed and numbered as well so that you know the extent of the collection.

It is helpful to remember that photography can be a very affordable alternative to paintings and again, there is an enormous range of styles and subjects.

Sculpture can be wood, stone, clay, metal or all of these things. Some exceptional sculptors could carve you a set of works in each of these materials following the same subject matter if you wish.

With all that in mind, decide what your budget is. Good, original artwork can start at as little as £50. That doesn't make it any less valuable as a piece of work and from the point of view of investments; the only way is up!

And finally; what if you don't like the work when it arrives? Send it back! That is one of the benefits of credit card payments or PayPal. Provided there has been no damage a good site owner will allow you to return the item as with any other purchase.

Always pay by credit card. This gives you a level of protection from your bank or payment service. Certain sites will allow you to pay a small deposit to reserve the work and then arrange full payment later.

Online art sites make original artwork available to a wider audience and give more artists the opportunity to show their work. That's got to be a good thing hasn't it?

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